THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS - I SAW HER AGAIN

Released: June 1966

Charts:  US: #5    UK: #11 

“I Saw Her Again” is a song co-written by John Phillips and Denny Doherty. Released in June 1966, it reached No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart, No. 11 in the UK, and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. The song was included on their second album, released in September 1966.

“I Saw Her Again” tells the story of a complicated love affair between two people who can’t resist each other, despite the emotional pain it causes. The lyrics reflect the protagonist’s conflicting feelings as they reunite with their lover after a period of separation, struggling between desire and the turmoil of their situation. The song was written by John Phillips about his wife Michelle Phillips’ affair with bandmate Denny Doherty. The affair caused Michelle’s temporary dismissal from The Mamas & the Papas and led to her divorce from John. Despite the irony, Doherty received a songwriting credit. The sessions were likely as tense as Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours recordings a decade later, marked by personal turmoil within the band.

This song was produced by Lou Adler and engineered by Bones Howe. The repeated “I saw her” around the 2:45 mark was a happy accident during the recording session. Bones mistakenly punched in the vocals early, creating the unintended double phrase. Lou Adler liked the effect and decided to keep it, recognizing the value of spontaneous studio mistakes. 

A music video was created to promote “I Saw Her Again”, featuring The Mamas & the Papas outside De Voss, a clothing shop on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. John arrives on a motorcycle, followed by Michelle, Denny, and Cass in a car. Inside, Michelle and Cass browse garments, while John sprays the air and Denny smokes a cigarette. The group playfully tosses clothes around before leaving the store in pairs.